Our weekly update

2.New Zealand News: Joint Ministerial Statement by Singapore and New Zealand -Covid-19 situation; Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Consumption Expected to Rise during COVID-19; Record amounts of New Zealand fruit and vegetables exported; “Summerfruit growers okay with levy”; New Zealand growers claim supermarkets demand perfection, so pesticides are indispensable; Serious shortage of workers for apple and kiwifruit harvest; Water use restrictions in Bay of Plenty; National Fieldays postponed due to Covid-19 ; New Zealand trial judgement on trafficking people and 'dealing in slaves'; Chasing myrtle rust in New Zealand - the first year after invasion; Protecting nurseries and industry in New Zealand from biosecurity hazards; State of disaster declared due to the damage caused by the brown marmorated stink bug

3. International news: GAIN reports; US: EPA streamlines evaluation of pesticides under ESA; North Korea: Military base makes way for vegetable greenhouse; Ukraine plans to simplify procedures for import of seeds; Online tool shows where food crops are grown in US; “We want consumer traceability to be viewed as an opportunity for the whole fresh food ecosystem"; Block chained fresh produce children's brand launched; Belgian start-up launches plant disease detection app; Canada: Sobeys recalls vegetable mix due to possible salmonella contamination; Is there still hope for rapid change from pesticides to IPM in Europe?; Sustainability challenges and innovations for the German market; "There are good reasons to package produce"; Indoor vertical farming in the urban nexus context; Sufresca eyes commercialization of fresh produce edible coatings; Radar-like technology used to improve pollination and increase yields in horticultural crops; Drone that monitors crops in vertical farming